Panasonic and Japans IRT Research Institute are working on an efficient dishwashing robot they call KAR (Kitchen Assistant Robot). The robot arm has 18 different sensors in its hand. These sensors help the robot to determine the shape and size of the dishes, and to pick a single object from a stack of dishes. The prototype has worked well till now, and the people associated with the project believe a production version could be available in about five years.

To help it grasp delicate china, this kitchen assistant robot (KAR) uses data from the 18 sensors embedded in its palm and images from a built-in camera to distinguish between shapes.

It`s arm has three joints and moves on a rail, allowing it to pick up plates and utensils from any place and position inside the kitchen sink.

The engineers are now trying to make the robot smaller and lighter and move fast enough to be able to put away dishes in five minutes after a family of four has finished dinner.